The 2014 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team represented the University of Minnesota in the 2014 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach Jerry Kill and played their home games at TCF Bank Stadium. They were a member of the West Division of the Big Ten Conference. They finished the season 8–5, 5–3 in Big Ten play to finish in a tie for second place in the West Division. They were invited to the Citrus Bowl where they lost to Missouri. It was their first New Year's Day bowl game appearance in 53 years, their previous was the 1962 Rose Bowl.
Preseason
Heading into their fourth off-season, Jerry Kill's coaching staff at Minnesota suffered their first departure as linebackers and assistant head coach Bill Miller accepted the linebackers coach position at Florida State.[1] After a brief coaching search, the Gophers named Mike Sherels the new linebackers coach. Sherels had an extensive history with the University of Minnesota, playing middle linebacker for the team from 2003-2007 and then serving as a special assistant and then defensive graduate assistant under Jerry Kill from 2011-2013.[2]
The Gophers also saw quarterback Philip Nelson leave the team, announcing his transfer to Rutgers University shortly after the conclusion of the 2013 season.[3] During the off season, Nelson was charged with first-degree assault after allegedly kicking Isaac Kolstad in the head during a late-night scuffle in downtown Mankato, Minnesota. These charges led to Nelson's dismissal from the Rutgers Scarlet Knights football program on May 14, 2014.[4]
College recruiting information
| Name
|
Hometown
|
School
|
Height
|
Weight
|
40‡
|
Commit date
|
Melvin Holland
WR
|
Ashburn, VA
|
Briar Woods HS
|
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
|
195 lb (88 kg)
|
4.5
|
Jan 27, 2014
|
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: ESPN:
|
Jeff Jones[5]
RB
|
Minneapolis, MN
|
Washburn HS
|
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
|
190 lb (86 kg)
|
4.7
|
Feb 2, 2013
|
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: (80)
|
Connor Mayes[5]
OL
|
Van Alstyne, TX
|
Van Alstyne HS
|
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
|
335 lb (152 kg)
|
5.4
|
Jun 17, 2013
|
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: ESPN:
|
| Overall recruit ranking:
|
- Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
- In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
|
Personnel
| 2014 Minnesota Golden Gophers football team roster
|
| Players
|
Coaches
|
Offense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| WR
|
1
|
K. J. Maye
|
Jr
|
| QB
|
2
|
Dimonic Roden-McKinzy
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
3
|
Jerry Gibson
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
4
|
Donovahn Jones
|
So
|
| QB
|
5
|
Chris Streveler
|
Fr
|
| QB
|
7
|
Mitch Leidner
|
So
|
| WR
|
9
|
Eric Carter
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
12
|
Will Reger
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
13
|
Desmond Gant
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
14
|
Isaac Fruechte
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
14
|
Connor Cosgrove
|
Sr
|
| QB
|
15
|
Conor Rhoda
|
Fr
|
| RB
|
16
|
Jeff Jones
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
17
|
Logan Hutton
|
Sr
|
| QB
|
18
|
Jacques Perra
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
19
|
Michael Conway
|
Fr
|
| RB
|
20
|
Donnell Kirkwood
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
21
|
Melvin Holland, Jr.
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
22
|
Jeff Borchardt
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
23
|
E. J. Sardinha
|
So
|
| RB
|
24
|
Rodney Smith
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
25
|
Devin Wright
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
26
|
Brian Smith
|
Fr
|
| RB
|
27
|
David Cobb
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
29
|
Louis Tuszynski
|
So
|
| RB
|
31
|
Cole Banham
|
Sr
|
| RB
|
32
|
Berkey Edwards
|
Fr
|
| FB
|
34
|
Jephete Matilus
|
Jr
|
| RB
|
35
|
Rodrick Williams, Jr.
|
Jr
|
| FB
|
41
|
Miles Thomas
|
Jr
|
| FB
|
43
|
Tyler Hartmann
|
So
|
| RB
|
37
|
Josh Parks
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
39
|
Nate Wozniak
|
Fr
|
| RB
|
44
|
Jacob Krisch
|
Jr
|
| TE
|
47
|
Alex Bisch
|
Sr
|
| TE
|
48
|
Matt Oldenkamp
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
49
|
Noah Scarver
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
52
|
Zac Epping
|
Sr
|
| OL
|
53
|
Luke Rasmussen
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
55
|
Connor Mayes
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
58
|
Tommy Olson
|
Sr
|
| OL
|
60
|
Matt Leidner
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
62
|
Jared Weyler
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
63
|
Jon Christenson
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
65
|
Josh Champion
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
66
|
Luke McAvoy
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
67
|
Brian Bobek
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
68
|
Isaac Hayes
|
So
|
| OL
|
70
|
Chad Fahning
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
71
|
Kyle McAvoy
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
73
|
Joe Bjorklund
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
74
|
Marek Lenkiewicz
|
Sr
|
| OL
|
75
|
Ernie Heifort
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
76
|
Alex Mayes
|
Fr
|
| OL
|
77
|
Foster Bush
|
Jr
|
| OL
|
78
|
Ben Lauer
|
So
|
| OL
|
79
|
Jonah Pirsig
|
So
|
| WR
|
80
|
Aaron Marmer
|
Jr
|
| TE
|
81
|
Duke Anyanwu
|
So
|
| TE
|
81
|
Nick Hart
|
Fr
|
| WR
|
82
|
Drew Wolitarsky
|
So
|
| TE
|
83
|
Drew Goodger
|
Sr
|
| WR
|
84
|
Isaiah Gentry
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
85
|
Lincoln Plsek
|
Jr
|
| TE
|
86
|
Brandon Lingen
|
Fr
|
| TE
|
88
|
Maxx Williams
|
So
|
| WR
|
89
|
Connor Krizancic
|
Fr
|
|
Defense
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| LB
|
1
|
De'Niro Laster
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
2
|
Cedric Thompson
|
Sr
|
| DB
|
3
|
Derrick Wells
|
Sr
|
| LB
|
5
|
Damien Wilson
|
Sr
|
| DB
|
6
|
Grayson Levine
|
Sr
|
| DL
|
9
|
Alex Keith
|
Jr
|
| DB
|
11
|
Antonio Johnson
|
Jr
|
| DB
|
15
|
Marcus Jones
|
Sr
|
| DB
|
16
|
Steven Montgomery
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
18
|
Peter Westerhaus
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
19
|
Cedric Dicke
|
So
|
| DT
|
19
|
Gary Moore
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
22
|
Craig James
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
26
|
De'Vondre Campbell
|
Jr
|
| DB
|
28
|
Jalen Myrick
|
So
|
| DB
|
29
|
Briean Boddy-Calhoun
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
30
|
Chris Wipson
|
Fr
|
| DB
|
31
|
Eric Murray
|
Jr
|
| DB
|
32
|
John McKelvey
|
So
|
| DB
|
36
|
Cavonte Johnson
|
So
|
| DB
|
40
|
Alexander Starks
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
42
|
Dominic Schultz
|
Jr
|
| DB
|
45
|
Adekunle Ayinde
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
46
|
Cameron Botticelli
|
Sr
|
| DB
|
48
|
Davis Alexander
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
50
|
Jack Lynn
|
So
|
| DL
|
52
|
Yoshoub Timms
|
So
|
| DL
|
55
|
Theiren Cockran
|
Jr
|
| LB
|
56
|
Nick Rallis
|
So
|
| LB
|
57
|
Everett Williams
|
Fr
|
| LB
|
59
|
Ray Dixon
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
69
|
Justin Carr
|
Jr
|
| DL
|
87
|
Gaelin Elmore
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
90
|
Demaris Peppers
|
Fr
|
| DE
|
91
|
Julien Kafo
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
92
|
Robert Nondo-Lay
|
Jr
|
| DL
|
93
|
Ben Perry
|
Sr
|
| DL
|
94
|
Harold Legania
|
Sr
|
| DL
|
95
|
Hendrick Ekpe
|
So
|
| DT
|
96
|
Steven Richardson
|
Fr
|
| DL
|
97
|
Scott Ekpe
|
Jr
|
| DL
|
98
|
Michael Amaefula
|
Sr
|
| DE
|
99
|
Andrew Stelter
|
Fr
|
|
Special teams
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Class
|
| K/P
|
18
|
Ryan Santoso
|
Fr
|
| LS
|
25
|
Payton Jordahl
|
Fr
|
| K
|
33
|
Andrew Harte
|
Fr
|
| P
|
34
|
Logan McElfresh
|
Fr
|
| P
|
37
|
Peter Mortell
|
Jr
|
| K
|
38
|
Emmit Carpenter
|
Fr
|
| LS
|
40
|
Jared Hartmann
|
Jr
|
| P
|
41
|
Christian Eldred
|
Sr
|
| K
|
42
|
Justin Juenemann
|
Fr
|
| LS
|
49
|
Dave Ramlet
|
Sr
|
|
- Head coach
- Coordinators/assistant coaches
- Tracy Claeys (associate head coach)
- Matt Limegrover (assistant head coach / offensive line)
- Brian Anderson (running backs)
- Jeff Phelps (defensive line)
- Pat Poore (wide receivers)
- Rob Reeves (H-Backs / tight ends)
- Jay Sawvel (defensive backs / special teams)
- Mike Sherels (linebackers)
- Jim Zebrowski (Quarterbacks / passing game coordinator)
- Ryan Maiuri (graduate assistant)
- Legend
- (C) Team captain
- (S) Suspended
- (I) Ineligible
|
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
|---|
| August 28 | 6:00 pm | No. 16 (FCS) Eastern Illinois* | | | BTN | W 42–20 | 44,344 |
| September 6 | 2:30 pm | Middle Tennessee* | | - TCF Bank Stadium
- Minneapolis, MN
| BTN | W 35–24 | 47,223 |
| September 13 | 3:00 pm | at TCU* | | | FS1 | L 7–30 | 43,958 |
| September 20 | 3:00 pm | San Jose State* | | - TCF Bank Stadium
- Minneapolis, MN
| BTN | W 24–7 | 47,739 |
| September 27 | 2:30 pm | at Michigan | | | ABC, ESPN2 | W 30–14 | 102,926 |
| October 11 | 11:00 am | Northwestern | | - TCF Bank Stadium
- Minneapolis, MN
| BTN | W 24–17 | 49,051 |
| October 18 | 11:00 am | Purdue | | - TCF Bank Stadium
- Minneapolis, MN
| BTN | W 39–38 | 51,241 |
| October 25 | 11:00 am | at Illinois | | | ESPNU | L 24–28 | 44,437 |
| November 8 | 11:00 am | Iowa | | - TCF Bank Stadium
- Minneapolis, MN (rivalry)
| ESPN2 | W 51–14 | 49,680 |
| November 15 | 11:00 am | No. 8 Ohio State | No. 25 | - TCF Bank Stadium
- Minneapolis, MN
| ABC | L 24–31 | 45,778 |
| November 22 | 11:00 am | at No. 23 Nebraska | No. 25 | | ESPN | W 28–24 | 91,186 |
| November 29 | 2:30 pm | at No. 14 Wisconsin | No. 18 | | BTN | L 24–34 | 80,341 |
| January 1 | 12:00 pm | vs. No. 16 Missouri* | No. 25 | | ABC | L 17–33 | 48,624 |
|
Game summaries
Eastern Illinois
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| E. Illinois |
0 |
0 | 0 | 20 |
20 |
| • Minnesota |
7 |
7 | 7 | 21 |
42 |
- Date: August 28
- Location: TCF Bank Stadium
- Game start: 7:00
- TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Eric Collins, Glen Mason, Jamie Hersch
Middle Tennessee
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Mid Tennessee |
0 |
0 | 17 | 7 |
24 |
| • Minnesota |
7 |
21 | 7 | 0 |
35 |
- Date: September 6
- Location: TCF Bank Stadium
- Game start: 3:30
- TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Anthony LaPanta, Glen Mason, Jamie Hersch
TCU
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Minnesota |
0 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
7 |
| • TCU |
10 |
14 | 6 | 0 |
30 |
- Date: September 13
- Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium
- Game start: 4:00
- TV announcers (FS1): Tim Brando, Brady Quinn
San Jose State
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| San Jose St |
7 |
0 | 0 | 0 |
7 |
| • Minnesota |
10 |
7 | 0 | 7 |
24 |
- Date: September 20
- Location: TCF Bank Stadium
- Game start: 4:00
- TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Anthony LaPanta, Chuck Long, Jamie Hersch
Michigan
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Minnesota |
0 |
10 | 17 | 3 |
30 |
| Michigan |
0 |
7 | 0 | 7 |
14 |
- Date: September 27
- Location: Michigan Stadium
- Game start: 3:00
- Elapsed time: 3:15
- Game attendance: 102,926
- Game weather: Sunny; about 75 °F (24 °C); wind 15–20 mph (24–32 km/h) NE
- Referee: J. McGinn
- TV announcers (ABC/ESPN2): Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Jeannine Edwards
Scoring summary |
| Q2 | 11:10 | MICH | Smith 10 yard run (Wile kick) | MICH 7–0 |
|
| Q2 | 8:00 | MINN | Leidner 10 yard run (Santoso kick) | Tie 7–7 |
|
| Q2 | :00 | MINN | Santoso 24 yard field goal | MINN 10–7 |
|
| Q3 | 6:56 | MINN | Santoso 48 yard field goal | MINN 13–7 |
|
| Q3 | 6:42 | MINN | Campbell 30 yard interception return (Santoso kick) | MINN 20–7 |
|
| Q3 | 2:52 | MINN | M. Williams 1 yard pass from Leidner (Santoso kick) | MINN 27–7 |
|
| Q4 | 12:50 | MINN | Santoso 25 yard field goal | MINN 30–7 |
|
| Q4 | 7:27 | MICH | Gardner 3 yard run (Wile kick) | MINN 30–14 |
Northwestern
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Northwestern |
0 |
10 | 0 | 7 |
17 |
| • Minnesota |
7 |
7 | 0 | 10 |
24 |
- Date: October 11
- Location: TCF Bank Stadium
- Game start: 12:00
- TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Kevin Kugler, Glen Mason, Lisa Byington
Purdue
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Purdue |
14 |
17 | 7 | 0 |
38 |
| • Minnesota |
14 |
6 | 16 | 3 |
39 |
- Date: October 18
- Location: TCF Bank Stadium
- Game start: 12:00
- TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Eric Collins, Chuck Long, Rebecca Haarlow
Illinois
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Minnesota |
0 |
3 | 21 | 0 |
24 |
| • Illinois |
14 |
0 | 7 | 7 |
28 |
- Date: October 25
- Location: Memorial Stadium
- Game start: 12:00
- TV announcers (ESPNU): Clay Matvick, Anthony Becht
Iowa
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Iowa |
7 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
14 |
| • Minnesota |
7 |
28 | 7 | 9 |
51 |
- Date: November 8
- Location: TCF Bank Stadium
- Game start: 12:00
- Elapsed time: 3:19
- Game attendance: 49,680
- Game weather: Overcast; 38 °F (3 °C); wind 12 mph (19 km/h) NNE
- Referee: Shawn Smith
- TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins, Joey Galloway, Paul Carcaterra
Scoring summary |
| Q1 | 9:13 | IOWA | Weisman 1 yard run (Koehn kick) | IOWA 7–0 |
|
| Q1 | 5:38 | MINN | Maye 9 yard run (Santoso kick) | Tie 7–7 |
|
| Q2 | 12:59 | MINN | D. Jones 44 yard pass from Leidner (Santoso kick) | MINN 14–7 |
|
| Q2 | 6:49 | MINN | M. Williams 9 yard pass from Leidner (Santoso kick) | MINN 21–7 |
|
| Q2 | 3:51 | MINN | Cobb 6 yard run (Santoso kick) | MINN 28–7 |
|
| Q2 | :31 | MINN | M. Williams 4 yard pass from Leidner (Santoso kick) | MINN 35–7 |
|
| Q3 | 9:13 | MINN | M. Williams 3 yard pass from Leidner (Santoso kick) | MINN 42–7 |
|
| Q4 | 11:34 | MINN | R. Williams 1 yard run (kick failed) | MINN 48–7 |
|
| Q4 | 6:28 | MINN | Santoso 35 yard field goal | MINN 51–7 |
|
| Q4 | :14 | IOWA | Stone 24 yard pass from Beathard (Koehn kick) | MINN 51–14 |
[7]
Ohio State
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Ohio St |
14 |
3 | 7 | 7 |
31 |
| Minnesota |
0 |
14 | 0 | 10 |
24 |
- Date: November 15
- Location: TCF Bank Stadium
- Game start: 12:00
- TV announcers (ABC): Dave Pasch, Brian Griese, Tom Luginbill
Nebraska
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Minnesota |
7 |
0 | 14 | 7 |
28 |
| Nebraska |
7 |
14 | 3 | 0 |
24 |
- Date: November 22
- Location: Memorial Stadium
- Game start: 12:00
- TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch, Brian Griese, Tom Luginbill
Wisconsin
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Minnesota |
14 |
3 | 0 | 7 |
24 |
| • Wisconsin |
3 |
10 | 7 | 14 |
34 |
- Date: November 29
- Location: Camp Randall Stadium
- Game start: 3:30
- TV announcers (Big Ten Network): Kevin Kugler, Glen Mason, Lisa Byington
Citrus Bowl
| Team |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Missouri |
0 |
10 | 9 | 14 |
33 |
| Minnesota |
7 |
0 | 10 | 0 |
17 |
- Date: January 1
- Location: Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium
- Game start: 1:00
- TV announcers (ABC/ESPN Radio): Mike Patrick, Ed Cunningham, Jeannine Edwards/Dave Lamont, Tom Ramsey, Kayce Smith
Rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes | Week |
|---|
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
|---|
| AP | — | — | — | — | — | — | RV | RV | RV | — | — | RV | RV | 22 | RV | RV | RV |
|---|
| Coaches | RV | RV | RV | — | — | RV | RV | RV | 24 | RV | RV | RV | RV | 22 | 25 | RV | RV |
|---|
| CFP | Not released | — | — | 25 | 25 | 18 | — | 25 | Not released |
|---|
Players Drafted into the NFL
References
- ^ "FSU Hires Bill Miller to FB Staff". 247Sports. February 24, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ Mason, Tyler (March 7, 2014). "Mike Sherels Named Gophers New Linebackers coach". Fox Sports North. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ Fornelli, Tom (January 29, 2014). "Minnesota QB Philip Nelson Transferring to Rutgers". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ "Rutgers dismisses Philip Nelson". ESPN. May 14, 2014. Retrieved July 29, 2014.
- ^ a b "GopherHole.com - Unofficial Home of Minnesota Gopher Sports". GopherHole.com.
- ^ 2014 Minnesota vs. Michigan - Final Stats. Retrieved 2015-Aug-29.
- ^ 2014 Minnesota vs. Iowa - Final Stats. Retrieved 2015-Aug-29.
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| Bowls & rivalries | |
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| Culture & lore | |
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| People | |
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| Seasons | |
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National championship seasons in bold |